Online parenting studies: Research you can participate in

Want to participate in research? These online parenting studies are being conducted by researchers in the behavioral and cognitive sciences.

As a rule, each project has been approved by a college or university ethics board. However, before you participate, you should always read the information carefully to make
sure you are comfortable with the terms of the study.

Social Motivation in Children: An Online Study for Parents

Seeking parents whose children are between 2 and 30 years of age

Researchers at Stanford
University are currently recruiting parents of children and young adults
between the ages of 2 to 30 to participate in a research study to better
understand social motivation in children.

The study involves completing a
few questionnaires about your child. The questionnaires should take
approximately 30-45 minutes of your time and are completed online.
Participation does not require in person meetings.

For more information, please call 650-736-1235 or email us at
autismdd@stanford.edu. For general information about participant rights,
please call 1-866-680-2906.

Disconnected Parenting in the Digital Age: The effects of smart phones

Seeking parents parents that use a smartphone
and have children that are 10 years of age or under

Researchers at the University of Sunderland want to understand how "the expanding use of smartphones
in everyday life" is affecting parent-child relationships and
interactions. They have a questionnaire for parents to fill out; it takes about 20 minutes. For more information, click here.

What parenting practices are acceptable to you?

Seeking parents who live in the United States, Canada, Australia, or Western Europe

Jennifer Harman of Colorado State University is seeking parents from certain Western countries to participate in an anonymous, online study about parenting attitudes and practices in these countries.

In particular, she wants to "get a better understanding of which behaviors are most acceptable, and which parenting practices are common" among people in these countries. The survey will also include "a few questions about your marital status, children, and decision-making in your relationship."

Her research team will not collect any private, identifying information about you. Your answers will be used anonymously as part of a broader project that will compare parenting in these countries with parenting in other parts of the world.

You can read more about the study, and take the survey, by clicking here.

Parental policies and awareness of video gaming

Seeking parents at least 18 years of age

Dr. Doug Smith of Southern Oregon University wants to
"gain a better understanding of parent’s attitudes toward video games and
the degree to which they actively monitor and/or supervise children’s video
gaming behaviors."

If you are a parent age 18 or older, you can help by
participating in this online survey. No personal information will be collected
-- just your views -- and you can skip questions you don't feel comfortable
answering.

Childbirth fear study

Seeking pregnant women 18 years or older

Researchers at the Perinatal Anxiety Lab of the University
of British Columbia are conducting a study of how pregnant women feel about
childbirth.

They are looking for
volunteers who are pregnant and 18 years or older to complete an online
questionnaire about fear of childbirth. In addition, they ask their volunteers
to participate in a very brief interview.

If you meet their criteria,
and would like to help, you can register here.

Fathers & daughters study

Seeking fathers over the age of 18 with at least one daughter

Dr. Michael Seto and Dr. Kelly Babchishin at the Royal's Institute of
Mental Health Research (University of Ottawa in Ontario, Canada) are interested in learning about relationships between fathers and daughters.

Their anonymous survey will include questions about parenting experiences, beliefs, and interests. It will also include questions about participant's opinions and experiences regarding offensive behavior, like physical or sexual assault.

The researchers report that they will not be not recording participant IP
addresses so an individual who completes the survey cannot be
identified.

Fathers who participate in this study will have a chance to win one of eighty $25 Amazon gift card.

Seeking young adults, 18-25, who are not parents and who are not pregnant

Dr Kylie Burke and Carys Chainey at the University of Queensland are interested in learning about the parenting that young adults experienced earlier in life. Their anonymous, online survey takes about 30 minutes to complete. Participants can win $50 for their time.

Mindy Erchull and Kate Richmond of the University of Mary Washington and Muhlenberg College are interested in how fathers talk to their children about puberty.

Their online questionnaire will take about 15-20 minutes to complete. Learn more here.

Mothers' Views on HPV Vaccination

Seeking mothers of daughters (newborn to age 12)

Researchers at the Department of Health and Social Science at Bolton University in the United Kingdom are seeking mothers’ views concerning their daughters and vaccination against the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV).

Their online questionnaire is anonymous and will take about 5 minutes of your time. Participate here.

Postpartum women's relationships and sexuality

Seeking mothers between the ages of 18-40 who have infants between 2 and 12 months old.

Professor Peter Gray and graduate student Michelle Escasa of the
University of Nevada are interested in female sexuality, social
relationships, and facial preferences of postpartum women.

Their online questionnaire will take about 15-45 minutes to fill
out. You can read the details and give your consent to participate
here.

Parenting and child anxiety

Seeking parents who are over 18 and who have children between the ages of 5 and 18

Caitlin Burditt, a graduate student in clinical psychology at the
University of Rhode Island, wants to know about your emotional and
behavioral responses during times when your child seems anxious.

Her online questionnaire takes about 25-30 minutes to complete. Your answers will be kept anonymous. To participate,
click here.